Method and apparatus for propulsion of kayaks and other watercraft

Abstract

A propulsion assembly utilizes at least one fluid propulsion chamber operationally attached or mounted to a vessel. Each fluid propulsion chamber generally comprises an outer housing and an inner sleeve; the outer housing is slidably disposed relative to the inner sleeve. Each inner sleeve further includes at least one water intake vent or aperture, and at least one outlet nozzle or jet. Pedal assemblies are moveably mounted within elongated slots or apertures extending through the vessel. A linkage assembly operationally connects the pedals to the at least one fluid propulsion chamber. Force imparted on said pedals (such as by the legs/feet of a user) is transferred to the fluid propulsion chambers by said linkage assembly to generate positive thrust to propel the vessel.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A watercraft propulsion apparatus for propelling a non-motorized vessel through water comprising:
 a) at least one fluid propulsion assembly operationally attached to said watercraft, wherein said at least one fluid propulsion assembly is configured to selectively expel water in a predetermined direction to create thrust, and wherein said at least one fluid propulsion assembly further comprises:
 i) an inner sleeve having a first end and a second end; 
 ii) a fluid jet nozzle disposed through said first end of said inner sleeve; and 
 iii) an outer sleeve having a first end, a second end and a flapper door hingedly attached to said second end, wherein said outer sleeve is slidably disposed over at least a portion of said inner sleeve; 
 
 b) at least one pedal movably disposed on said watercraft; and 
 c) a linkage assembly connecting said at least one pedal to said at least one fluid propulsion assembly. 
 
     
     
       2. The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said linkage assembly further comprises at least one cable and at least one pulley. 
     
     
       3. The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein force applied to said at least one pedal is transferred to said outer sleeve of said at least one fluid propulsion assembly by said linkage assembly. 
     
     
       4. The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said inner sleeve and said outer sleeve of said at least one fluid propulsion apparatus are configured to selectively alternate between an extended position and a collapsed position. 
     
     
       5. The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said flapper door is closed when said inner sleeve and said outer sleeve alternate between said extended position and said collapsed position. 
     
     
       6. The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said flapper door is closed when said inner sleeve and said outer sleeve alternate between said collapsed position and said extended position. 
     
     
       7. A watercraft propulsion apparatus for propelling a vessel through water comprising:
 a) a first fluid propulsion assembly operationally attached to said vessel, wherein said first fluid propulsion assembly further comprises:
 i) a first inner sleeve having a first end and a second end; 
 ii) a first fluid jet nozzle disposed through said first end of said first inner sleeve; and 
 iii) a first outer sleeve having a first end, a second end and a first flapper door hingedly attached to said second end of said first outer sleeve, wherein said first outer sleeve is slidably disposed over at least a portion of said first inner sleeve; 
 
 b) a second fluid propulsion assembly operationally attached to said vessel, wherein said first and second fluid propulsion assemblies are configured to selectively expel water in a predetermined direction to create thrust;
 c) a first pedal movably disposed on said vessel; 
 d) a second pedal moveably disposed on said vessel; 
 e) a first linkage assembly connecting said first pedal to said first fluid propulsion assembly; and 
 f) a second linkage assembly connecting said second pedal to said second fluid propulsion assembly. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said second fluid propulsion assembly further comprises:
 a) a second inner sleeve having a first end and a second end; 
 b) a second fluid jet nozzle disposed through said first end of second said inner sleeve; and 
 c) a second outer sleeve having a first end, a second end and a flapper door hingedly attached to said second end of said second outer sleeve, wherein said second outer sleeve is slidably disposed over at least a portion of said second inner sleeve. 
 
     
     
       9. The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said first linkage assembly further comprises at least one cable and at least one pulley. 
     
     
       10. The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said second linkage assembly further comprises at least one cable and at least one pulley. 
     
     
       11. The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said first inner sleeve and said first outer sleeve of said first fluid propulsion apparatus are configured to selectively alternate between an extended position and a collapsed position. 
     
     
       12. The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said second inner sleeve and said second outer sleeve of said second fluid propulsion apparatus are configured to selectively alternate between an extended position and a collapsed position. 
     
     
       13. The watercraft propulsion apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said first fluid propulsion apparatus is in a collapsed position when said second propulsion assembly is in an extended position. 
     
     
       14. A method for propelling a vessel through water comprising:
 a) providing a water craft propulsion apparatus, comprising:
 i) a first fluid propulsion assembly operationally attached to said vessel wherein said first fluid propulsion assembly is configured to selectively alternate between an extended position wherein water flows into said first fluid propulsion assembly, and a collapsed position wherein water is expelled from said first fluid propulsion assembly; 
 ii) a second fluid propulsion assembly operationally attached to said vessel, wherein said first and second fluid propulsion assemblies are configured to selectively expel water in a predetermined direction to create thrust; 
 iii) a first pedal movably disposed on said vessel; 
 iv) a second pedal moveably disposed on said vessel; 
 v) a first linkage assembly connecting said first pedal to said first fluid propulsion assembly; 
 v) a second linkage assembly connecting said second pedal to said second fluid propulsion assembly; 
 
 b) applying force to said first pedal; 
 c) expelling water from said first fluid propulsion assembly; 
 d) applying force to said second pedal; and 
 e) expelling water from said second fluid propulsion assembly. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein said second fluid propulsion assembly is configured to selectively alternate between an extended position wherein water flows into said second fluid propulsion assembly, and a collapsed position wherein water is expelled from said second fluid propulsion assembly. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said first fluid propulsion apparatus is in said collapsed position when said second propulsion assembly is in said extended position, and said first fluid propulsion apparatus is in said extended position when said second propulsion assembly is in said collapsed position.